Enameling: Making an Enamel Samples Library

[@isabelrowan6776]

Thank you always for sharing your creativity and love of enamels!

[@10Gables]

Thank you Isabel 💕

[@lenastiward8657]

Thank you for sharing so many different ways of sample storage ideas.

[@10Gables]

You are welcome :) It's easy for things to get out of hand quickly!!! hahah

[@barbarasimoes9463]

I love crackle. I find that I have to leave things in so much longer to get any effect. If I'm not careful and I have the hole that I punched out at a low spot on the tray, the enamel will of course, dribble down and fill up the hole because it's in there so long! It takes forever to drill it out, too! It's best to play with the shape before putting much enamel on, so I can figure out how to set it on the tray so that it's either level or the hole is higher. (I usually use the W shaped trays) It's been a while since I've played with them, but you inspire me. Clear is my favorite, too, although both black and white have their place, too. I keep a notebook in my studio, and at the end of the day, I'll write notes and observations, or I'll record color combinations that I really like or sketch how I built a design. It's amazing how often I refer back to those notes. I know I wrote some down for crackle. I think I remember that it was suggested that you use both transparent and opaque...maybe because the transparent creates a third color when mixed with the opaque? I think I remember that it was suggested to also always use the crackle as the base on which to put all other colors, but I'd want to check that again. I might just have to play with those tomorrow! You got me all excited about mason stains, so that is what I've been playing with of late...that and adding frit onto pieces. I use fine and medium and get some really cool effects because it is glass, so it can really catch the light and sparkle, yet it fuses on and adds dimension...literally! I just got some of those "cloth" trays but have not used them yet. The tip about using clay on them is really helpful. Thank you so much for all you do.

[@10Gables]

Hi Barbara! It sounds like you are having a great time 💕 Thank you so much for sharing all of your experiences here. Your idea to play with the shapes and hole placement before crackle is genius! I have a set of diamond burs from Thompson Enamel that work well to grind them out if they get coated over with enamel. But I was recently introduced to diamond core drills via work I've been doing lately with lapidary carving. Instead of a bur trying to push through all the glass, these have a hollow center to cut a circle into and through. They are much faster. Be sure to use them by submerging your piece in water to keep the drill and your piece from overheating. I use a size that is slightly smaller than the hole I drilled to give it room to fit. cuttingedgesupply.store/collections/core-drills/products/super-small-diamond-core-drills

[@barbarasimoes9463]

@@10Gables Thank you so much for the tip!

[@isarastudio9]

Thank you for making the video Chris :-) I'm working on making sample strips and really enjoy seeing what they look like when finished. I recently getting into lead bearing enamel and have a bunch to make sample out of and looking for ways to make it efficiently...your video gives me some ideas so many thanks!

[@10Gables]

Thanks, Kanchana :) I'm really excited for you and hope you enjoy making your samples. Lead-bearing enamels are so beautiful.